Focus: The point beneath Earth's surface where rock that is under stress breaks, triggering an earthquake. Epicenter:The point on the surface directly above the focus. P waves: earthquake waves that compress and expand the ground. S waves: earthquake waves that vibrate from side to side as well as up and down. Seismic waves: vibrations that travel through Earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake. Surface waves: Produces the most severe ground movements. Seismograph: Records ground movements caused by seismic waves as they move through the earth. Magnitude: A measurement of earthquake strenghth based on seismic waves and movement along faults. Mercalli scale: Was develpoed to rate eartquakes according to their intensity. RItcher scale: A ranging of the siize of seismic waves as measured by a particular type oof mechanical seismograph. Moment magnitude scale: a rating system that estimates thhe total energy released by an earthquake.
Outline
Seismic Waves
Seismic waves carry the energy of an earthquake away from the focus, through the Earth's interior, and across the surface.
There are three categories of seismic waves: P waves, S waves, and surface waves.
Table of Contents
2.2 Measuring Earthquakes
Vocabulary
Focus: The point beneath Earth's surface where rock that is under stress breaks, triggering an earthquake.
Epicenter:The point on the surface directly above the focus.
P waves: earthquake waves that compress and expand the ground.
S waves: earthquake waves that vibrate from side to side as well as up and down.
Seismic waves: vibrations that travel through Earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake.
Surface waves: Produces the most severe ground movements.
Seismograph: Records ground movements caused by seismic waves as they move through the earth.
Magnitude: A measurement of earthquake strenghth based on seismic waves and movement along faults.
Mercalli scale: Was develpoed to rate eartquakes according to their intensity.
RItcher scale: A ranging of the siize of seismic waves as measured by a particular type oof mechanical seismograph.
Moment magnitude scale: a rating system that estimates thhe total energy released by an earthquake.
Outline
Seismic Waves
Detecting Seismic Waves
Measuring Earthquakes
Locating the Epicenter
Diagram